Universal Or A.c.-d.c. Motors Patents (Class 318/245)
  • Patent number: 11936248
    Abstract: A power tool system includes a power tool having a tool housing. The tool housing includes a battery pack receptacle having a set of tool terminals. A brushless motor includes an output shaft operably coupled to drive a tool element, a stator having an outer diameter of approximately 60 mm to approximately 80 mm, and a stack length of approximately 75% to approximately 125% of the outer diameter of the stator. A controller is operably connected to the set of tool terminals and to the brushless motor to control power delivery to the brushless motor. A battery pack includes a battery pack housing connectable to the battery pack receptacle on the tool housing and a set of battery cells. The set of battery cells includes at least 15 battery cells each having a nominal voltage of approximately 3.6V and an impedance of approximately ?13 m?. A set of battery pack terminals is connectable to the set of tool terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: John D. Cox, Michael Varipatis, Matthew J. Velderman, Christopher W. Shook
  • Patent number: 11894706
    Abstract: A sterile battery charging device and assembly for charging within a sterile field. The battery charging assembly includes a base unit having a first interface and a second interface. The assembly additionally includes a high capacity battery connectable to the first interface and a low capacity battery connectable to the second interface. The base unit retrieves power from the high capacity battery and transmits power to the low capacity battery. The high capacity battery and the low capacity battery are interchangeably connectable to the base unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Conmed Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Lackey
  • Patent number: 11845341
    Abstract: A method for operating switching elements of an inverter of a vehicle that is driven by way of a three-phase synchronous machine. The inverter has a series circuit of switching elements for the phases. When the vehicle brakes, the synchronous machine is used to set a cycle rate for the operation of the switching elements depending on a frequency of AC phase currents of the synchronous machine. The electrical energy provided by the synchronous machine is fed to a DC voltage intermediate circuit. The cycle rate is set according to the frequency of the AC phase currents, such that it corresponds to the frequency of the respective AC phase currents of the synchronous machine. Zero points of the AC phase currents are determined, and the switching elements are operated to set a predefined phase difference between the respective AC phase current and a respectively associated AC phase voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Mobility GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Bergner, Juergen Ditterich, Karsten Hoke, Niklas Rueger
  • Patent number: 11788281
    Abstract: An acoustic band shell assembly comprising a frame and one or more panels mounted to the frame for rotational motion between an open condition and a closed condition, the one or more panels forming a generally planar wall responsive to being engaged in the closed condition, wherein the one or more panels are biased for motion from the closed condition into the open condition responsive to being disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Protech Theatrical Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Will H Brants, Viet T Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11770093
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, AC chopping circuit includes a switching circuit, a synchronizing signal generating circuit, a switch driving circuit and an auxiliary power supplying circuit. In some examples, the switching circuit are coupled to an AC power source and a load. In certain examples, the synchronizing signal generating circuit provides a synchronizing signal which is related to a polarity of the AC power source. In some examples, the switching circuit is controlled based at least in part on the synchronizing signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Xiamen Kiwi Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Zongjie Zhou, Huijie Yu, Kunming Cai
  • Patent number: 11720078
    Abstract: A system comprising a processor, a non-transitory memory, and an application stored in the non-transitory memory is provided. The application is configured, upon execution by the processor, to cause the processor to generate a first controller signal based on a first set of feedback from an electric motor, based on a characterization tone, and based on a controller gain, to provide the first controller signal for operation of the electric motor, to generate a frequency response analysis on a second set of feedback from the electric motor in response to the first controller signal, and to determine a new value of the controller gain based on the frequency response analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ramesh Tiruvannamalai Ramamoorthy, Sam Gnana Sabapathy, Manish Bhardwaj
  • Patent number: 11368065
    Abstract: A controller of a rotating electric machine performs a control on a control amount of the rotating electric machine by (a) calculating a voltage instruction value for controlling the control amount based on voltage detection values of the shunt resistors when shunt resistors in at least two phases have an electric current flowing therein, and (b) performing a drive control of each of switches in an inverter based on the calculated voltage instruction value. The controller determines whether a phase current flowing in a winding is detectable in at least two of three phases based on voltage values of the shunt resistors, and, when determining that the phase current is not detectable in the at least two phases, the controller performs the drive control based on a past current value or a past voltage value in a two-phase rotating coordinate system of the rotating electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasuaki Aoki
  • Patent number: 11349021
    Abstract: A power control switch assembly. The assembly may include a thyristor device, where the thyristor device includes a first device terminal, a second device terminal, and a gate terminal> The assembly may include a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) device, electrically coupled to the gate terminal of the thyristor device on a first end, and electrically coupled to the first device terminal of the thyristor device on a second end, wherein the NTC device is thermally coupled to the thyristor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventor: Koichiro Yoshimoto
  • Patent number: 11323055
    Abstract: A method is for a circuit for a motor comprising first and second phase windings. The method comprises receiving alternating current (AC) power from the first and second phase windings at a direct current (DC) power supply and converting the AC power to DC power and receiving AC power from the first and second phase windings by at least one power switch between the first and second phase windings and switching the AC power by the at least one power switch. The method includes preventing the DC power supply from collapsing, by a first component connected to the DC power supply, when the at least one power switch is on during a first portion of an AC cycle and preventing the DC power supply from collapsing, by a second component connected to the DC power supply, when the at least one power switch is on during a second portion of the AC cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: QM Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles J. Flynn, Cooper N. Tracy
  • Patent number: 11286942
    Abstract: A fan control system includes an input unit receiving a domestic power signal, an operation controller, a first converter connected to the input unit and the operation controller, and a second converter connected to the first converter and a fan. Upon receipt of an operation signal outputted by the operation controller, the first converter switches from a normal mode where the domestic power signal is directly outputted as a converted power signal, to a converting mode where the domestic power signal having an attribute thereof varied for a preset duration is outputted as the converted power signal. The second converter outputs an output signal based on the converted power signal for controlling rotational speed of the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Inventor: Kuo-Tsun Lin
  • Patent number: 11171581
    Abstract: A circuit for a smart safety system includes an electrical input connection to obtain power from a power source and an electrical output connection to regulate the power to an AC motor. The circuit also includes an adjustable DC power supply. One or more electronic switching devices regulate electricity output to the AC motor. The circuit has one more functional states including: a first state, activated via a first electrical signal, in which electricity is supplied to AC motor to allow normal operation of the AC motor, and a second state, activated via a second electrical signal, in which no electricity is supplied to the AC motor to prevent unintentional operation of the AC motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Inventor: Scott J. Swaaley
  • Patent number: 11082041
    Abstract: A switching circuit includes a live wire power obtaining circuit, a control circuit, and a tunable capacitor array. The live wire power obtaining circuit is coupled to a live wire to receive an alternating current (AC) voltage. The control circuit is configured to perform a zero-crossing detection to the alternating current voltage. The tunable capacitor array is coupled to the live wire power obtaining circuit and the control circuit. The control circuit is configured to control the live wire power obtaining circuit to supply power to the control circuit or the tunable capacitor array to discharge to supply power to the control circuit based on a state of a first switch and a zero-crossing detection result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: REALTEK SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hu-Ye Fu, Zuo-Hui Peng, Feng-Qiao Ye, Jian Wang, Yu-Xiang Qi
  • Patent number: 10883302
    Abstract: An opening-closing body driving motor includes a motor body, a drive circuit, and a control circuit. The motor body is provided to automatically open and close an opening-closing body of a vehicle. The drive circuit supplies driving power to the motor body. The control circuit includes a PWM controller. The control circuit is configured to adjust the driving power by PWM control and control an operation mode of the opening-closing body through the motor body such that the operation mode is changeable. The PWM controller is configured to have a control frequency of the PWM control include a frequency in an audible range based on a predetermined trigger so that the motor body vibrates in the audible range, thereby performing a sound producing operation. The predetermined trigger includes information about an opening-closing state of the opening-closing body or information about activation and deactivation of a child lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeru Sugiyama, Yutaka Naito, Ritsurou Hiramatsu, Teruyuki Toyoda, Motoya Yamamoto, Nobuo Mizutani
  • Patent number: 10461680
    Abstract: A method for operating a universal motor, comprising the following steps: —establishing a synthetic variable from at least two physical operating parameters of the universal motor; and —operating the universal motor using operating parameters of this type so that the synthetic variable remains at a substantially constant level or at least does not exceed a defined permissible upper limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jacek Wiszniewski, Klaus Dengler
  • Patent number: 10270374
    Abstract: A motor driving circuit, the motor itself, and a motor driving method are disclosed. The circuit includes a controllable bidirectional alternating current (AC) switch and a processing unit, a voltage polarity of the AC power source and zero voltage crossing point of an AC power source being detected, together with a magnetic pole position of a permanent-magnet rotor, to govern the operation of the AC switch. When the controllable bidirectional AC switch is to be switched on, a trigger pulse is output after a delay time after the zero voltage crossing point, such that a phase difference between a back electromotive force and current flowing through the stator winding is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: JOHNSON ELECTRIC INTERNATIONAL AG
    Inventors: Chi Ping Sun, Fei Xin, Shing Hin Yeung, Xiu Wen Yang, Shu Juan Huang, Yun Long Jiang
  • Patent number: 9843191
    Abstract: A power converter including a detection apparatus and method for detecting an islanding condition based on measurements of one or more currents and voltages within the power converter provided to a current regulator to generate a signal that is provided in a positive feedback loop and is indicative of an islanding condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Smith, Maozhong Gong
  • Patent number: 9755555
    Abstract: A drive circuit for an electric motor connected in series with an AC power source between a first node and a second node. The drive circuit includes a controllable bidirectional AC switch, an AC-DC conversion circuit connected in parallel with the controllable bidirectional AC switch between the first node and the second node, a position sensor configured to detect a position of a rotor of the motor, and a switch control circuit configured to control the controllable bidirectional AC switch to be conductive or non-conductive in a predetermined way, based on the position of the rotor and a polarity of the AC power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Electric S.A.
    Inventors: Yue Li, Chi Ping Sun, Bao Ting Liu, En Hui Wang, Fei Xin, Shing Hin Yeung, Xiu Wen Yang, Yan Yun Cui, Shu Juan Huang
  • Patent number: 9667183
    Abstract: Presented is an electronically commutated electric motor having a power output stage connected to a stator of the electric motor, and a processing unit connected to the power output stage. The processing unit drives the power output stage to produce at least one stator current. The electric motor has a current sensor which is designed to record the stator current produced by the power output stage and to generate a current signal representing the stator current. The processing unit is designed to use the current sensor to record at least one current value of the current at a recording time within an interval of time and to determine a current profile of the current in the interval of time at least on the basis of the current value and to drive the power output stage to energize the stator on the basis of the current profile determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Mattias Hallor, Ulrich Vollmer
  • Patent number: 9050083
    Abstract: A surgical cutting and fastening instrument that is motorized. The instrument comprises in one embodiment a charge accumulator device, separate from a battery, that provides additional power to the motor under certain conditions. In addition, the motor may comprise multiple windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Yates, Thomas W. Huitema, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Brett E. Swensgard
  • Publication number: 20150137716
    Abstract: In a method for activating an electric machine having a rotor, a stator winding having multiple phases and a rectifier having multiple half-bridges corresponding to the number of phases, which each have active switching elements, alternating current signals, which are phase-offset to one another by switching the switching elements, are applied to the phases in a first motor operating mode in which the rotor rotates above a limiting speed, and in a second motor operating mode, in which the rotor rotates below the limiting speed, constant direct-current signals are at least partially applied to the phases by switching the switching elements as a function of an instantaneous angle position of the rotor, the direct-current signals being selected in such a way that a current flow does not exceed a predefined maximum current absolute value through any of the phases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Julian Roesner
  • Publication number: 20150108927
    Abstract: A method and device for the electrodynamic braking of a universal motor. The method comprises continuously ascertaining a rotational speed of the universal motor, temporarily, periodically short-circuiting an armature of the universal motor with a semiconductor switch to brake the universal motor, and setting firing angles of the semiconductor switch according to an indexed mapping of firing angles to target rotational speeds of the universal motor. Each of the set firing angles is adapted to an ascertained rotational speed value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jacek Wiszniewski, Kamil Pogorzelski
  • Publication number: 20150108926
    Abstract: A method and device for electrodynamic braking of a universal motor. The method comprises the steps of continuously ascertaining a rotational speed of the universal motor, temporarily, periodically short-circuiting an armature of the universal motor with a semiconductor switch, and regulating firing angles of the semiconductor switch with a regulating device. The regulating device regulates firing angles of the semiconductor switch such that the rotational speed of the universal motor is adapted with minimal deviation to a rotational speed of a target rotational speed profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jacek Wiszniewski, Kamil Pogorzelski
  • Patent number: 9009906
    Abstract: A drain-cleaning machine comprises a cable, a motor assembly, and a speed control assembly. The cable comprises a longitudinal axis. The motor assembly is configured to rotate the cable about the longitudinal axis of the cable. The motor assembly comprises a motor and a motor control device. The motor is configured to operate at an operating speed that may vary within a range of operating speeds. The motor is configured to produce a substantially constant torque while operating at varying operating speeds across the entire range of operating speeds. The motor is configured to be powered by DC power. The motor control device is configured to receive AC power from an AC power source, convert the AC power into DC power, and communicate the DC power to the motor. The speed control assembly is configured to vary the operating speed of the motor within the range of operating speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Electric Eel Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: C. David Hale, Alfred P. Horning
  • Patent number: 8884557
    Abstract: A method for operating a mains-operated electric motor for a power tool includes connecting a first side of an electric motor to a first mains and connecting a second side of the electric motor to a second mains using first and second switches, respectively, in particular semiconductor switches, and monitoring the operational reliability of the switches using an electronic controller for operating safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Hans Hermann Rottmerhusen
  • Patent number: 8803462
    Abstract: A switching element is switched off after having been switched on for only a short time interval called a first predetermined time interval, and a determination is made, based on a mode of a change in a contact point potential (a regeneration voltage) between an electric motor and the switching element when the switching element as switched off, as to whether or not one of the electric motor and the switching element has failed. Next, the switching element is switched on for a time interval called a second predetermined time interval, which is longer than the first predetermined time interval, and a determination is made, based on the magnitude of the contact point potential at that time, as to which one of the electric motor and the switching element has failed. It is thus possible for a failure of the switching element and electric motor to be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Isao Okamoto
  • Patent number: 8779706
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a rotary electric machine has a DC-AC converting circuit with high- and low-potential-side switching elements to compose an inverter. In this apparatus, a connecting/disconnecting circuit is arranged to be electrically opened and closed between the DC-AC converting circuit and a power supply. A determining member determines whether or not the high-potential-side and low-potential-side switching elements have a malfunction. A failsafe performing element opens the connecting/disconnecting circuit and turns on both the high-potential-side and low-potential-side switching elements residing in a part of the inverter, when it is determined that there is caused a malfunction in the switching elements. The turned-on high-potential-side and low-potential-side switching elements realizes a short-circuit state therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroya Tsuji
  • Patent number: 8766569
    Abstract: A drive device of the present invention includes a pair of drive switches, a first diode, a switching element, a current detection unit, a capacitor, a second diode, and a current control unit. The first diode, the switching element, and the current detection unit are arranged, in this order from one end of an armature in a motor, on a braking current path that is formed of the armature and a field winding in the motor when the pair of drive switches is in a brake position. The second diode is adapted to keep allowing a braking current to flow through the field winding when the switching element is in an off-state by directly connecting a partial path between the switching element and the current detection unit on the braking current path and the other end of the armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventors: Hidekazu Suda, Katsuhito Fujinami
  • Patent number: 8615837
    Abstract: A drain-cleaning machine comprises a cable, a motor assembly, and a speed control assembly. The cable comprises a longitudinal axis. The motor assembly is configured to rotate the cable about the longitudinal axis of the cable. The motor assembly comprises a motor and a motor control device. The motor is configured to operate at an operating speed that may vary within a range of operating speeds. The motor is configured to produce a substantially constant torque while operating at varying operating speeds across the entire range of operating speeds. The motor is configured to be powered by DC power. The motor control device is configured to receive AC power from an AC power source, convert the AC power into DC power, and communicate the DC power to the motor. The speed control assembly is configured to vary the operating speed of the motor within the range of operating speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Electric Eel Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: C. David Hale, Alfred P. Horning
  • Patent number: 8571394
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a position of an electric dc brush motor (22, 24) including the steps of supplying drive current (104) to drive the electric motor and calculating (70, 108) a coast constant for the motor. Current through the motor is monitored (80) and motor speed (66) is determined in response to monitored motor current. Electrical current to the motor is interrupted (50) in response to the calculated coast constant (70, 106) and motor speed when it is desired to stop the electric motor so that a brush of the motor will come to rest at a location on a commutator segment of the motor (22, 24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Company
    Inventor: James J. Dean
  • Patent number: 8562304
    Abstract: An electrical motor activation method for an electric motor including a rotor, connected to a motor shaft, and a stator having brushes. The stator comprises multiple commutator laminations for the commutation of windings disposed on the rotor and is activated by a pulsed or linearly controllable power source. The motor shaft is connected to a radially driven load, in particular a pump, which has a nonlinear torque curve via a motor revolution. A waviness signal is obtained from a voltage potential applied to the motor and/or from the motor current and rotor position information is obtained from the curve of said waviness signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Dieter Barthel, Ralf Hartmann, Andreas Heise, Christian Bitsch, Daniel Schmitz, Andreas Richter
  • Patent number: 8461786
    Abstract: In a method and a device for determining the position of a closing part of a vehicle, that can be moved by a direct-current motor, a motor current signal is derived from the direct-current motor and converted into a digital signal by an analog-digital converter. The signal is filtered and forwarded to a position counter for counting the current ripple. The scanning frequency of the analog-digital converter is modified according to the rotational speed of the direct-current motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Roman Morawek
  • Patent number: 8450954
    Abstract: An electric motor apparatus comprising a rotor component rotating with respect to a stator component. A rotational position indicator generates rotational position information indicative of a relative orientation of the rotor and stator components. A rotor winding control unit is fixedly mounted on the rotor component and is coupled to a rotor supply voltage supplied to the rotor component. The rotor control unit generates a rotor waveform in dependence on the rotational position information and applies the rotor waveform to a rotor winding arrangement. A stator winding waveform generator generates a stator waveform in dependence on the rotational position information and applies the stator waveform to a stator winding arrangement. The rotor waveform and stator waveform are generated in synchronization with the relative orientation of the rotor and stator components in order to synchronize mutual interactions of the rotor winding arrangement and the stator winding arrangement with the relative orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: ARM Limited
    Inventor: David V Pietromonaco
  • Patent number: 8421382
    Abstract: A method for controlling a motor can suppress an influence of speed variation due to cogging of the motor. The method includes performing a preliminary drive process to output a first driving signal to the motor to move the mechanism, performing the preliminary drive process to output a second driving signal corresponding to a cogging period of the motor to the motor as well as output the first driving signal, to move the mechanism, determining parameters which include an output waveform and output timing of the second driving signal based on a speed of the mechanism in the preliminary drive process, and outputting the second driving signal according to the determined parameters to the motor as well as outputting the first driving signal to the motor in an actual drive process to perform predetermined processing by moving the mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Manabu Tsumoto
  • Patent number: 8415911
    Abstract: A power tool comprises a housing, a direct current motor arranged in the housing, a speed reduction mechanism coupled to a shaft of the motor, a tool head driven by the speed reduction mechanism, a first direct current power source, and a switching device. The motor comprises a common brush, a high speed brush and a low speed brush which are in sliding contact with a commutator. The switching device is configured to selectively connect the common brush and the high speed brush with the power source to operate the motor in a high speed mode and to connect the common brush and the low speed brush with the power source to operate the motor in a low speed mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Electric S.A.
    Inventors: James Ching Sik Lau, Chang Lin Jin
  • Publication number: 20130069566
    Abstract: An electric motor apparatus comprising a rotor component rotating with respect to a stator component. A rotational position indicator generates rotational position information indicative of a relative orientation of the rotor and stator components. A rotor winding control unit is fixedly mounted on the rotor component and is coupled to a rotor supply voltage supplied to the rotor component. The rotor control unit generates a rotor waveform in dependence on the rotational position information and applies the rotor waveform to a rotor winding arrangement. A stator winding waveform generator generates a stator waveform in dependence on the rotational position information and applies the stator waveform to a stator winding arrangement. The rotor waveform and stator waveform are generated in synchronization with the relative orientation of the rotor and stator components in order to synchronize mutual interactions of the rotor winding arrangement and the stator winding arrangement with the relative orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventor: David Pietromonaco
  • Patent number: 8344683
    Abstract: A device and a method for determining the current position of a rotor, particularly the angle of rotation of the rotor, of an electric motor, wherein said device determines the current position of the rotor using the fluctuations of the armature current or the armature voltage of the electric motor. The fluctuations of the armature current or the armature voltage are separated from the fluctuations of the motor current or the motor voltage with the help of an amplifier unit dependent on a controllable offset value. The offset value is changed according to the motor current or the motor voltage. By virtue of the device and the method, the fluctuations of the armature current or the armature voltage can be separated from the fluctuations of the motor current or the motor voltage over the full measurement range of the motor current or the motor voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Conti Temic Microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Schulter, Stefan Rau, Helmut Weber, Thomas Gründer, Carsten Sensche
  • Patent number: 8294412
    Abstract: A method for controlling a rotary electrical machine and a control and power module for a rotary electrical machine. The rotary electrical machine includes a plurality of phase windings (9), a power circuit (12, 16) which comprises a plurality of arms each formed by a bridge of switches and which is capable of supplying an electrical network at an output voltage (Vres) equal to a nominal voltage when the bridge of switches is in a nominal mode of operation, an excitation winding (11) through which flows an excitation current (I exc) which generates a magnetic flux in a magnetic excitation circuit (10), and an electronic control circuit (7) which operates the power circuit and controls the excitation current. The method includes locking the bridge in at least one arm of the power circuit in a conductive state when the output voltage exceeds a voltage threshold higher than the nominal voltage. The nominal mode of operation of the bridge is returned to independently of the output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Valeo Equipements Electriques Moteur
    Inventor: Michaël Chemin
  • Patent number: 8294399
    Abstract: A motor controller comprises a processor selectively outputting an on-signal to either one of an upper arm switching element and a lower arm switching element based upon a detected position by the position sensor, gate drivers inputting a driving voltage to the gates of the switching elements by shifting a level of the on-signal from the processor to the upper arm switching element and a bootstrap capacitor configured to be charged while the upper arm switching element is turned off and to behave as a voltage supply for the gate driver while the upper arm switching element is turned on. The processor is configured to reduce a set duty ratio when the set duty ratio is equal to or larger than a predetermined value (e.g. 80 percents) and a rotational position of the motor does not change for a first predetermined time. This motor controller can prevent the switching element from a burnout even if the motor is locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventors: Jiro Suzuki, Takuya Kusakawa
  • Publication number: 20120249023
    Abstract: A method for operating a mains-operated electric motor for a power tool using switches, in particular semiconductor switches, includes monitoring the operation of the switches using an electronic controller for operating safety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventor: Hans Hermann Rottmerhusen
  • Patent number: 8264186
    Abstract: The present invention includes a control device capable of applying a high voltage to a motor of a fuel pump for an appropriate period of time during a low voltage operation of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazumichi Hanai, Kazuhiro Yoneshige
  • Patent number: 8193744
    Abstract: A method for controlling the speed of an AC motor by means of an AC motor speed control having a plurality of capacitors operable to be selectively coupled in parallel electrical connection, the parallel coupled capacitors operable to be coupled in series electrical connection with the AC motor, the method comprising charging the capacitors up to substantially the same predetermined voltage prior to combining the capacitors in parallel electrical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Aaron Dobbins, Chen Ming Wu
  • Patent number: 8179072
    Abstract: A method for counting the number of revolutions of a burr of a coffee mill driven in rotation by an electric motor. According to the method: at least one electrical parameter Pi of the motor that varies in proportion to the speed of said motor is measured in a regular time interval Ti; the speed Vi in each time interval Ti is calculated from the parameter Pi based on an experimentally obtained relation; and the number of revolutions Ni made by the burr in each time interval Ti is calculated from the speed Vi determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Mickaël Beule, Gilles Lebuffe
  • Publication number: 20120092948
    Abstract: A concrete vibrator system with a constant speed motor, one of a set of vibrator heads with different load characteristics, and one of a set of drive shafts connecting the motor output shaft with one of the vibrator heads. A speed control circuit senses motor shaft speed and maintains constant speed. The motor is cooled by a fan mounted on the motor rotor which draws air through an inlet and exhausts air through an outlet both of which face downwardly when the motor is in use. Rain or other liquids are prevented from reaching the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Glenn Heimbruch, Paul Jaworski
  • Patent number: 7986115
    Abstract: A device is provided for detecting inadequate electric braking and commutation to a safety brake is intended for a vehicle with electric traction, in particular a rail vehicle, which is provided with a traction chain, the system including a first electric, non-safety brake which is integrated in the traction chain and a second safety brake. The device includes a member for commutation from the first brake to the second brake, a device for monitoring the braking performance of the first brake using data for measurement of the intensity of a current, a decision device for commutating from the first brake to the second brake when a predetermined threshold value is exceeded and a device for transmitting a commutation command to the at least one commutation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Alstom Transport SA
    Inventor: Thierry Jobard
  • Patent number: 7982418
    Abstract: This device is an electric safety brake which is intended for an electric traction vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle comprising: a rotating electromechanical machine (10) having permanent magnets having at least one coil with electric terminals (13, 14, 15), a resistive braking torque production device (22), an electromechanical commutator (20) which is capable of reliably connecting the electric terminals (13, 14, 15) of the machine (10) to the braking torque production device (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Alstom Transport SA
    Inventors: Thierry Jobard, Eric Bonin
  • Publication number: 20110018477
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an electric motor (2) having a phase angle control with the following steps: Applying an AC voltage to a series connection of the electric motor (2) and a switching element (4), particularly a triac, wherein the switching element (4) connects through by applying an ignition signal and suppresses the flow of a current if the amount of current falls below a holding current; determining the time of a zero crossing of a virtual motor current that would flow if the switching element (4) were connected through; and turning on the switching element (4) at an activation time that is dependant on the time of the zero crossing of the virtual motor current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Roland Walter, Jacek Wiszniewski, Michael Maercker, Klaus Dengler
  • Patent number: 7851954
    Abstract: A vehicle drive device includes a motor generator (MG2), a power control unit controlling the motor generator (MG2), and a case housing the motor generator (MG2) and the power control unit. The power control unit includes a first inverter driving the motor generator (MG2) and a voltage converter boosting a power supply voltage to apply the voltage to the first inverter. A reactor L1 which is a component of the voltage converter is disposed such that at least a portion of a core comes into contact with the case for heat exchange. Consequently, the heat is dissipated to the case having a large heat capacity for integral housing, to thereby allow the heat dissipation performance of the reactor (L1) arranged in the limited space to be ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Endo, Ryoji Mizutani, Kazutaka Tatematsu, Tadafumi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7800321
    Abstract: In a method for the detection of the rotational position of the rotor of a DC motor with commutator by evaluating the time development of a rotor current signal of the DC motor, said signal comprising a periodic waviness around an average value and comprising current ripples generated by commutation which are superimposed to said waviness, the rotor current signal of a current ripple detector unit (30) is supplied for detecting the current ripples of the rotor current signal. The rotor current signal is further supplied to a waviness detector unit (34) for detecting a half or full wave of the rotor current signal. The current ripple detector unit (30) is arranged to output a current ripple pulse for each detected current ripple. The waviness detector unit (34) is arranged to output a waviness pulse for each period of the waviness. The output signals of both detector units (30,34) are supplied to a logic OR unit (38) for generating a logic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Behr-Hella Thermocontrol GmbH
    Inventors: Otto Knittel, Michael Kriener
  • Patent number: 7786687
    Abstract: A motor control strategy for a motor in a front steering system for a vehicle that reduces vibrations from the motor being transferred to a vehicle hand-wheel. The control strategy also includes operating the electric motor in a commutation freeze mode if a position error signal is less than a first predetermined threshold by sending signals to coils of the motor to prevent to the motor from rotating, operating the electric motor in a commutation normal mode if the position error signal is greater than a second predetermined threshold that is greater than the first predetermined threshold, and operating the electric motor in an angle step mode if the position error signal is between an intermediate threshold and the second threshold where the angle step mode provides a signal to the motor to move the motor forward or backward a predetermined number of motor steps, one step at a time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Chandra S. Namuduri, Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Robert R. Bolio, Ross Feller, Balarama V. Murty
  • Patent number: 7781994
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a circuit for regulating the speed of a commutator series-wound motor, especially a universal motor (10), which is supplied with a current from an a.c. voltage source (22) by means of a semiconductor switching element (18) mounted in series with an armature winding (12) and a field winding (14, 16) and controlled by a control unit (28) according to a nominal speed value. The control unit (28) receives, as input signals, signals corresponding to the total voltage drop (Umot) when the motor (10) is supplied with a current, and a substitute signal for the intensity of the motor current (I), corresponding to the voltage drop (Ua, Ufa) on the armature (12) alone or on the armature (12) and on a part (14) of the field winding (14, 16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Walter, Bastian Kloer, Klaus Dengler